Having a hard time

[Jinshushei]

This is the first pokemon game I've played since...god knows what, sapphire?

Not sure what it is, but I'm struggling in this game.

My team composition consists of this:
Gengar (level 29)
Snorlax (level 27)
Deino (level 29)
Boldore (level 28)
Salandit - just got it - (level 21)
Gyarados (level 22)

I just completed, and struggled immensely, against that totem pokemon in the lush jungle. It opened my eyes that maybe my team just sucks. Gengar literally set the stage because hypnosis saved me a bit and his damage is insane with night shade, however, I feel like I've been putting too much faith into Deino.

I've literally been leveling Deino exclusively because he has some sick evolutions and he's dragon, however, his damage is not that great, his speed sucks and his health is abysmal. I think his top hp is like 75...and my snorlax is like almost 200 and does pretty good damage.

Are these decent pokemon for now? I'm so on the fence.

Also, random question, this always stumped me in pokemon (especially in this one since you don't get crap for xp fighting wild pokemon), how do you decide to change another pokemon of your team, that is a lot lower level (with exp share of course, that helps) to be up to par with your current content quickly? I can't go back and fight all the trainers that I spent so much time on with Deino (regretfully)... any suggestions? I want to swap out some things but i think salandit will be really good in due time.

 

[PurplePopplio]

I planned to use Togedemaru, which is only on Ula'Ula. So I used Magnemite as a placeholder. But Togedemaru was under-leveled in comparison to my team. So I used him more in battles. It took a while, but he caught up.

So basically use the under-leveled Pokemon more in battles. He/she/it may struggle for a while, but it'll be worth it.

 

[Esserise]

Deino isn't going to evolve for a long time and is fairly difficult to raise anyway. I think it evolves at Lv50, and then Lv64.

Also, as a heads up, only female Salandit are capable of evolving. So if yours is male, it's going to be a Salandit forever.

 

[Gengarzilla]

For my own heads up, Boldore only evolve by being traded. I assume that won't be a problem since you appear to have evolved a Haunter. Unless there's some gift Gengar I don't know about.

 

[Alolan Coconut]

Lurantis is running Synthesis so she can stall a hell of a long time. And don't forget: you're battling in a 2v1 in a Totem Battle, so its not that weird that you're having a bit of trouble. Especially now that they actually buffed the AI in my opinion (like using double battle tactics).

 

[dragon_nataku]

To me, your guys seem to be a bit underlevelled though m8. I think my guys were around 35 at that point maybe? Or maybe trying to evolve some random things has caused me to be overlevelled, I don't know. Either way, gaining some levels should help, even though I hate grind just as much as the next guy.

 

[Arceus the Dragon]

For my own heads up, Boldore only evolve by being traded. I assume that won't be a problem since you appear to have evolved a Haunter. Unless there's some gift Gengar I don't know about.

Gengar can be found in a S.O.S battle at the place where you battle Totem Mimikyu.

 

[Muur]

To me, your guys seem to be a bit underlevelled though m8. I think my guys were around 35 at that point maybe? Or maybe trying to evolve some random things has caused me to be overlevelled, I don't know. Either way, gaining some levels should help, even though I hate grind just as much as the next guy.

Over levelled

 

[Zeb]

For what it's worth, most people seem to struggle with Totem Lurantis. I wouldn't take it as a sign that your team sucks, more just that that's one of the tougher fights in the game for most and struggling with it is fairly common. I lost to it twice before finally beating it on the third try, for example. Your team seems fine to me.

 

[techitisJ]

Your team seems pretty well balanced to me. So I think it should be fine. Maybe train all your Pokemon up just a bit. It doesn't hurt to have over leveled Pokemon, as long as they are in the limit of where they will still listen to you if they are traded. It allows you to make a few more mistakes, and helps you along those battles where you have nothing that is good against a certain Pokemon. A lot of people have had troubles with the Totems, and many of the other battles too. Sun and Moon also have a few moments where suddenly those levels rose like crazy. I did at least 4 training sessions and had a few times towards the end where I was under leveled. When going to catch the final legendary, my highest on the team was 10 levels under it, my lowest 15 levels under it. The levels quickly went up after the main game. That's why it's always good to have some training sessions.

Also it might be good to grab the amulet coin. You keep it on the first Pokemon in your party that way you get double the cash whenever you battle someone. This way you have more money to buy more potions and revives, so you're able to get through those tougher battles.
EDIT: gosh I forgot to put the Amulet Coin location in this reply. Sorry. It's on Akala Island, at the Panolia Ranch. It's closer to the nursery behind one of the trucks I think.